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Perspective Newsletters
Fall 2001
PARENTS' SUPPORT GROUP
Page 2
We are once again sponsoring the Parents' Support Group. All parents and/or guardians
are welcome at these meetings, which run from 7:00 - 8:30 twice a month at Leary
School, Prince George's County. Transportation and child care for younger children
(ages 4-13) are available upon request.
Many of our parents/guardians tell us that these meetings serve to help them feel
heard, understood, and supported by each other and by the group facilitators. They
exchange thoughts, feelings, and suggestions that they are then able to try out and
share the outcome with the group at the next meeting.
The schedule for this school year includes October 24, November 11th and 28th, December
12; January 9th and 23rd; February 6th and 20th; March 6th and 20th; April 10th and
24th, and May 8th and 22nd.
If you have any questions or need to arrange for transportation or child care, please
call Dr. Caracosta in Virginia (703-941-8150) or Ms. Alexanderwicz in Maryland (301-839-5486).
LEARY SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA
Sometimes it is the kindness of others that helps us through difficult times.
On Tuesday, September 11th, in the midst of our national tragedy, we sent a staff
member to the Harris Teeter supermarket nearby to purchase water bottles and sandwich
supplies for students who we anticipated would be delayed on buses trying to get
back to their homes on congested and chaotic roadways.
When she returned with the supplies, she let us know that the Harris Teeter manager
had generously donated all the items. This act of kindness helped us through a long
and difficult school day!
Transportation for twenty five of our students was indeed delayed and many of our
staff members remained with them, long past their contract hours. Some of our staff
stayed even though the fate of their relatives and friends was still unknown. They
provided structure and support for those students, including two, whose parents work
in the Pentagon. Thankfully, their lives were spared.
Since that day, our staff has continued to provide guidance and support to our students,
who struggle to understand the attack even as we, ourselves, struggle to understand.
Our students produced written poems and haikus, drew flags and collected pictures
and articles. Below is a selection of their work.
The events of that day may have cast a shadow on the beginning of our school year
but the kindness of others and the devotion of our staff shines through that darkness
and reinforces our unity and resolve.
Francesca Creo, M.A.
Director of Programs
Randy Bush, Maurice Bundy, Henry Gosier, Darrell Derby,
Brandon Kyle, Nathaniel Epps from Group 3 in front of the bulletin board they created
following September 11th.
LEARY SCHOOL, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
The students at Leary School, Prince George's County, have responded to the recent
crisis in our country in many ways. We are proud of their ability to talk about and
process the wide range of feelings they are experiencing. Some positive responses
to these feelings include the planting and dedication of a tree in honor of the September
11th victims and their families. Another project, facilitated by the art therapy
department, involves a six by four foot American flag quilt that will be made up
of 4"x4" cloth squares on which students will draw their response to the meaning
of the flag as an American symbol.
As we continue further into the school year, we look forward to many annual activities,
such as the science fair, states' day and nations' day. The administration and staff
of Leary School, Prince George's County, are united in their commitment to maintaining
the regular program structure during these difficult times and assisting our students
in the safe and positive expression of the many feelings they are now experiencing.
Deni Brancheau, M.A.
Program Director
FLY AWAY
I died with dignity, not fear,
I cried in my heart so much
I wouldn't even shed a tear.
I was here one day
Then I was gone.
I felt the heat and rocks
Crush my bones.
As I lay here as time goes by,
I think about how
I am going to die.
I know my time has come and I thought
It was so far away.
I listen as the bird.
Songs fade away.
I don't want to die.
I'd rather play as
My breath gets shorter and shorter.
I died for my country I died free
Now I am in God's hands where I
Should be.
By Sherica Brooks
Leary School of Virginia
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